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Latest SSVC News

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2007 ON BFBS

BFBS Raises the Bar with its most Extensive Coverage Ever

BFBS TV and Radio will have its most extensive coverage for the 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup in France, as the tournament celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

Every match will be screened live on BFBS TV as we spread the Rugby World Cup across BFBS1 and BFBS2 for the very first time. All the Home Nation matches will be introduced by BFBS’s Paul Hendy, Richard Orford and Paul Bunker. The boys will be asking the audience to get involved with prize give-aways, phone-ins, celebrity link ups and will be giving you the opportunity to get your name on the telly!

And if you can’t get to a TV, BFBS Radio 2 will be relaying coverage from Radio Five Live.

In the build-up to the tournament, there will be a week of special programming on BFBS TV. Two new series look back at the history of the competition and how this year’s 20 playing nations qualified.

BFBS TV will also screen an exclusive documentary - England: The Champions’ Challenge – following the England team in its preparations for this World Cup. With exclusive access to team training and to the dressing room, the film provides a unique insight into the preparation of a top international rugby squad.

Helen Williams, Controller BFBS TV said: “The 2007 Rugby World Cup is the centre piece of our sporting line-up throughout September and October. And there’s the small matter of fitting in live Grand Prix and the Euro 2008 qualifiers – HM troops are going to be spoilt for choice!”

You can get the details for all the matches and programmes at www.bfbs.com/rugby Viewers can get in touch with Richard, Paul and Bunks live on the usual text number +44 7740 377 377 starting the text with ‘rugby’ or email rugby@bfbs.com

24 August 2007

Free footie for British Forces!

At the start of the new Barclays Premier League season, British Forces everywhere will be chomping at the bit for a new dose of live Premier League football on BFBS TV. Especially in the incredibly difficult conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan, being able to watch live footie action is a huge morale booster. In most areas of Iraq and Afghanistan, Armed Forces personnel can choose to watch their favourite teams together on communal TVs in Mess tents or in their own bedspace on their own TV or even laptop thanks to BFBS DTT. And if they can’t get to a TV set, they can listen live on BFBS Radio 2. Her Majesty’s Ships at sea also have full live access to the footie fest.

But this season, something is a little bit different. The footie is free…

“The Premier League has exempted us from land rights for the next three-year period, with the express wish that the money saved - around a quarter of a million for TV and Radio rights - be used to provide more and better services for troops,” says Helen Williams, Controller BFBS TV.

“We wanted to show our support for British Forces doing a dangerous and difficult job,” said Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore. “We know that Premier League matches on TV and Radio are a lifeline for the guys and girls away on operations and thought this was the best way we could help our friends at BFBS deliver even more choice to the troops.”

IMG Media has also granted all HM Ships free access to all Premier League action.

“It’s all systems go for those serving in the Armed Forces,” said Richard Wise, IMG Media’s Vice President, Programme Sales. ”We are very glad to be helping directly towards Forces’ welfare for those on long deployments away from family and home comforts.”

With the money saved, BFBS TV will be launching a movie channel in 2008 for British Forces and their families in over 15 countries worldwide, from the Falklands to Afghanistan.

Managing Director of SSVC, BFBS TV and Radio’s parent charity, Major General (Retd) Alastair D A Duncan CBE DSO said: “From my 30 years in the Army, I know how football mad soldiers are. And having served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Sierra Leone, just how important BFBS TV and Radio are as a link to normality when you are far from home.”
10 August 2007

Harry Potter Flies In To The Falklands

The Falklands recently benefited from another SSVC cinematic coup when Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix made its way to its namesake Phoenix cinema on the same weekend it opened worldwide.

Warner Bros kindly let Box Office Boys, Richard Orford and Paul Hendy take a copy of this brilliant film for the grand opening of the fully refurbished Phoenix. Children and adults alike had an amazing night, dressing up for the occasion and even getting to meet the BFBS Box Office Boys themselves.

SSVC managed to squeeze in two screenings before the film (and the BFBS TV crew) got back on the same aircraft to fly home again. With a full house for both shows it looks like it was a huge success.

Watch out for the Box Office Boys programme on BFBS 1 on 2nd August, which features this event. And don’t forget, you can catch Harry Potter in your local SSVC Forces cinema during August.
19 July 2007

BFBS to Launch Three FM Radio Services

British Forces Broadcasting Service Radio is set to launch three new FM radio services for British Forces in Northern Ireland following the recent award by Ofcom of three community licences.

The newly licensed stations, which are owned by the military in each location, will be based at RAF Aldergrove (which also serves the barracks at nearby Antrim), Holywood and Ballykinler. BFBS has been closely involved in ensuring that troops and their families based in these areas will have access to the new, high quality FM stations aimed specifically at them.

In awarding the three licences, Ofcom has recognised the unique service provided by BFBS and its ability to reach out to military and civilian communities alike. BFBS will fund the construction of studios in each of the new locations and help to train presenters from within the military and local communities. When the stations are not on-air locally BFBS will provide sustaining programmes from its Lisburn studios, which have been up and running on 100.6FM since May 2006.

British troops, along with their families in Aldergrove/Antrim, Holywood and Ballykinler, and the civilians who work alongside them will now be able to listen to BFBS Radio in FM stereo and enjoy all their local programmes plus live links to personnel deployed across the world on operations in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, the Falkland Islands and the Balkans.

BFBS Radio is the Forces own radio network with radio stations on the ground alongside Britain’s operational forces. These exciting new services will even further enhance the vital link with home that BFBS provide.
21 July 2007

BFBS Helps Make Fathers’ Day Special

British Forces Broadcasting Service Radio 1’s new flagship programme ‘The Show’ featuring Heidi Secker, Wez Thompson and Annwen Campbell-Smith launched across the BFBS network on 4 June at the same time as the official launch of BFBS radio on Sky.

Now broadcasting across the world on Sky guide number 0211 and across the BFBS network, The Show broke new ground with a special Access All Areas Fathers’ Day broadcast. An unprecedented number of messages were received and played out across the Forces world and the programme was filmed live by Sky for their rolling news programme.

BFBS Radio linked up with The Sun online to gather messages and dedications ahead of Fathers’ Day and ITV’s This Morning’s website included a link to the BFBS site and The Sun’s dedication page. As a result, over 200 messages were received via email, there were 15 minutes of recorded messages, and texts and telephone messages flooded the studio during the programme. A live radio link between two families from 6 Bn REME and 22 Regt RE and their partners in Iraq was also screened on Sky News.

Wez said, ‘It was an emotion packed day. It’s amazing hearing families re-united via the radio and it’s great to be able to make that happen.’
21 June 2007

Falklands Liberation 25 years on:
Margaret Thatcher broadcasts to British Forces
and Falkland Islanders

“We should still rejoice,” says Lady Thatcher

On Wednesday 13th June 2007, the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Liberation of the Falkland Islands, Lady Thatcher sends a radio message to the Islanders and British Forces, recalling her memories of the “gravest decision” she made during her premiership.

Recorded by BFBS Radio at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, Lady Thatcher says she feels “privileged and very moved” to be broadcasting to the people of the Islands:

“Twenty five years ago, British Forces secured a great victory in a noble cause. The whole nation rejoiced at the success; and we should still rejoice. Aggression was defeated and reversed. The wishes of local people were upheld as paramount. Britain’s honour and interests prevailed.”

Lady Thatcher takes the opportunity to praise British Forces – both then and now:

“We could never at any stage be sure of what the outcome of the Falklands War would be. But of two other things I could be sure – first that our cause was just, and second that no finer troops could be found in the world than those of our country. That is still the case.”

Lacking none of her resolve, Lady Thatcher delivers a quiet and measured message and says that, on the anniversary of the Liberation, the Falkland Islanders are “in my thoughts and in my prayers”.

She ends by saying: “…let us also recall the many battlefronts where British Forces are engaged today. There are in a sense no final victories, for the struggle against evil in the world is never ending.

“Fortune does, in the end, favour the brave. And it is Britain’s good fortune that none are braver than our Armed Forces. Thank you – all.”

Full transcript available here.
13 June 2007

BFBS radio on Sky

Following successful trials, the British Forces Broadcasting Service will be officially launching BFBS Radio on the digital Sky satellite platform from 4 June. The new channel, Sky guide number 0211, means that BFBS will be able to connect UK-based troops and their families to friends and loved ones serving overseas.

For more than 60 years BFBS Radio has been keeping British Forces and their families in touch with home through radio stations based wherever they are around the world, but up until now has been unable to serve them at home in the UK.

“We are extremely excited,” said Charles Foster, Controller BFBS Radio, “this is the missing link in our network. It makes us the only Forces broadcaster capable of offering total connectivity between the UK and those serving around the world, from Afghanistan and Iraq right through to the Falkland Islands.”

This new service will keep family and friends of service personnel in touch with those who are away on operations virtually anywhere in the world. It also enables the Territorial Army, reservists, ex-service personnel and even cadets to get involved with their own, bespoke Forces station – BFBS Radio.

Stations in Iraq and Germany are joining with BFBS Radio in the UK to maintain a 24-hour a day service with daily, live programmes from the very heart of the operational areas where troops are based.

BFBS Radio can be contacted any time, day or night with messages for friends or loved ones serving overseas or in the UK through www.bfbs.com/digital or by phone to the BFBS Radio hotline 08701 202121 (national rate).

31 May 2007

BFBS wi-fi internet in Basra

BFBS’s new wi-fi internet trial is now operating in the new welfare village at the COB in Basra. So take your laptop to the Echos or the BASbados Coffee Bar, log on, surf the net or email family and friends. Access to the BFBS website and Army, RAF and RN sites is free, otherwise £5 buys you two hours – and you can use 10 minutes today and half-an-hour tomorrow or next week, there’s no expiry date on your two hours. So power up your laptop and click on the BFBS wi-fi pop-up.

5 April 2007

BFBS and Sky Sports Bring the Army Centenary Rugby Match to the Forces

On Wednesday April 4th, the Army will be celebrating a hundred years of Rugby with a special match against a top Barbarians line-up at the Twickenham Stoop - home of Harlequins.

In a unique co-operation, BFBS and Sky Sports are broadcasting the whole game live to British service personnel across the UK and round the world. British Forces on postings and operations overseas, from the Falklands to Afghanistan, can watch the match on BFBS TV, and Forces in the UK can watch on Sky Sports Extra.

BFBS TV Controller Helen Williams said: " For the past five years, Sky Sports has covered the Army V Navy clash from Twickenham and BFBS TV has carried the game live to our service audience world-wide, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate a hundred years of Army Rugby with this special event. It will be a great morale booster for our servicemen and women to see it wherever they are".

Several Army players will be returning from operations to play in this unique match, and a big crowd is expected at the Stoop. Kick off is at 19.45 UK time, enjoyed collectively in Catterick and Camp Bastion, Colchester and Basra.

The Barbarians have named a strong team, coached by former Kiwi star Zin Zan Brook, which includes All Blacks’ legend Andrew Mehrtens, scorer of more than 900 points over a career spanning 70 caps. He'll be teaming up with South African second row giant Andrew Vos.

The Army coach WO2 Andy Price will name his side after another centenary fixture, when they meet Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Tuesday 27th March.

27 March 2007

British Spaceman lands at BFBS Studios

BFBS Radio and Television recently played host to one of the few Britains to go into space.

During interviews with BFBS Radio 2 and TV news programme, BFBS Reports, Dr Nicholas Patrick told how his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut began at the age of five after watching the Apollo moon landing.

In pursuit of his dream, Dr Patrick learned to fly as a member of the Royal Air Force Cambridge University Air Squadron. After graduating he moved to Boston, Massachusetts to work as an engineer for the Aircraft Engine Division of GE. Dr Patrick logged over 1,900 hours as a pilot, which included over 800 hours as a flight instructor in the US, and in August 1988 reported to NASA’s Johnson Space Center for astronaut training. Finally, in December 2006, Dr Patrick’s childhood dream became a reality when he joined the seven member crew on the STS-116 Discovery on its 12 day mission into space.

Speaking of his extraordinary adventure, Dr Patrick said, ‘Going into space is a challenging and life changing experience but, like any other job, when you’ve done it for a while it becomes fairly normal. The main concern is that everything you need to do goes as planned.’

Asked whether he would like to return to space, Britain’s fourth astronaut was emphatic, ‘Definitely. It looks like we could be going to Mars in the next decade or two. I will be too old for that mission, but I would love to go and live on the space station for six months.’

Now living in Houston, Texas, Dr Patrick is working on his next dream of representing Britain in space once again - sometime soon.
23 March 2007

Tony Blair speaks exclusively to BFBS
‘We’re facing a tough fight with the Taliban’

The mission in Afghanistan is winnable. That was the upbeat message from the Prime Minister in an exclusive interview with BFBS Radio 2.

With Britain’s commitment to Afghanistan growing to 2,200 troops, and a similar number of troops being drawn down from Iraq, speaking on Glen Mansell’s show on Thursday Tony Blair described Britain's armed forces as the premier league but also conceded that the three services are stretched.

The Prime Minister said Britain had to continue playing a major role in the fight against global terrorism and, despite the continuing struggle against the Taliban, he was positive about the outcome in Afghanistan.

Mr Blair paid tribute to Forces personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan saying that troops are ‘operating with tremendous heroism and courage’ and said they were respected around the globe. He also praised the support of Forces families.
9 March 2007

CSE Brings Laughter to Iraq

Combined Services Entertainment has just returned from a Comedy Club tour in Iraq with top comics Phil Butler, Junior Simpson, Andy Askins, Gina Yashere and Jim Jeffries who brought some much needed laughter to troops in Basrah, Shaiba, Umm Qasar and Baghdad.

This was not a tour for the faint hearted. The team managed seven shows during their six day visit to the area, wearing body armour at all times except when they were performing or sleeping - and even then it was never far away. The comics moved from show to show in helicopters and Hercules aircraft; a far cry from dashing across the West End on a Saturday night to perform in Leicester Square and Camden.

Whilst they were shocked at the trauma that the military face in their day-to-day working lives, the team were all impressed by the professionalism of the British Military and saw first hand why they are considered the best in the world.

Despite the stresses of living and working in an operational area where audiences carry loaded weapons at all times, the comedy clubbers said it was the most amazing experience and they would do it all over again tomorrow.
16 February 2007

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Press & PR
For further Press & Media information

BFBS Forces Radio & TV
Combined Services Entertainment (CSE)
SSVC Forces Cinemas
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British Defence Film Library (BDFL)

Please contact:
Simon Mundell
Tel:        +44 (0) 207 9933006
Email:    simon@oneismore.co.uk